Research Skills

Research, an essential academic skill, is the act and process of gathering and reading information that helps you learn more about an essay topic.

Every writer has a research system that was initially borrowed from someone or cobbled together from various people. If you’re in university or college and you want to get better grades, it’s time for you to come up with your own.

These resources show you the most effective strategies for basic essay research. If you’re confused about what we mean by “scholarly databases,” we’ve also put together a short list of some common ones, including open-access directories and library webpages that allow you to login and view restricted articles.

If you need one-on-one help, your university or college might offer tutoring through a writing centre or a similar service. If you're a student at one of our partner institutions, you can visit our Help Centre for more information about academic services (advising, tutoring, and more). Institutions also have reference librarians who can help you navigate the library system to find what you need.

University and college libraries in Manitoba

Librarians can provide coaching and helpful assistance for finding quality information. Contact a librarian if you are unable to find an answer through the regular channels.

Online resources for research skills

Information Literacy, a tutorial by the University of Idaho, features seven modules explaining what information literacy is, why it's important, and how to apply those skills. The modules include searching, locating, evaluating, and sharing information.

Harvard's Guide to Using Sources is a required text for students enrolled in an introductory course on university fundamentals at Harvard, but it is available online for anyone to read. The information is divided under seven major topics, including locating, evaluating, integrating, and citing sources; avoiding plagiarism; and explaining why source use is important in your university education.

University of Wisconsin-Madison's Research Tips & Tricks is a handy resource for those who are new to using libraries and dealing with sources. While some of the information is designed for students using one particular library, the tips are general enough to be relevant elsewhere.

This Digital Literacy Resource from Cornell University focuses on the skills you need to be a savvy navigator of digital information. For students who are new to academic writing, it is an indispensable introduction to what you need to know about using the web for a research project.

University of Toronto's Reading and Researching catalogues eight handouts on how these skills contribute to academic writing.

infoKit on developing digital literacies by Jisc. This resource is helpful for understanding what capabalities are required for digital literacy and why they matter in today's society. Educators and administrators can use this guide for information on how to create strategies and policies for supporting students and faculty in obtaining digital literacy.

Online repositories for non-academic sources

Non-academic publications can be useful for certain kinds of assignments, but you need to be more diligent about checking for credibility. Instead of relying on Google, try targeting specific places that are known for publishing quality non-fiction articles.

Access to education is at the heart of everything we do. Manitoba’s post-secondary sector is committed to higher education - the creation, dissemination, and preservation of knowledge. As such, our purpose is to expand access and connect students to the opportunities that higher education offers.